Susan Herbt, president of the U. of Connecticut, delivers her first State of the University speech in April. Her plans include hiring nearly 300 new faculty members.

By Beth Mole

When Brad R. Simpson visited the University of Connecticut for a
job interview in February, he was struck by a vibe that he finds
increasingly rare on college campuses.

People, he says, were optimistic. At a time when he encounters
many demoralized professors, as campuses across the nation slash
budgets and freeze hiring, the University of Connecticut is one of
a few that have recently announced plans to significantly expand
their faculty ranks. In December, administrators there